Village Start-Up Fund (VSF) Officer job at Raising The Village

Department/Group: Implementation
Reporting To: Area Manager Years of Experience 3+ years
Location: Midwest Region
Travel Required: 90%

About Raising the Village
We are Raising The Village (RTV), an international development organization and a registered charity on a mission to end ultra-poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. Raising The Village is a fast-growing organization on an accelerated growth path. Our team in East Africa and North America works together to list communities out of ultra-poverty in last-mile villages. We operate at the intersection of direct implementation and advanced data analytics to inform progress, decision-making, and impact. To date, we have supported more than one million people through our innovative holistic approach. We have achieved this tremendous growth with the support of our incredible partners from all around the globe who believe in our model and impact. Find out more about our programs and impact at www.raisingthevillage.org.

Role Description

RTV will be implementing a research and innovation project, focused on rapid-cycle testing and applied research. This is a restricted project funded by the Gates Foundation over a three-year period. Findings from this initiative will generate critical internal insights and public outputs, contributing to the global learning agenda. As part of this project, one of the key initiatives will be focused on enhancing Village Savings and Loan Association’s (VSLA) access to capital, with particular focus on women.

We are looking for a dynamic and results-driven Village Start-Up Fund (VSF) Officer to lead the implementation of our VSF project in rural communities. The initiative provides VSLAs with loan grants to invest in income-generating activities, create community initiatives, and repay the funds. The core goal of the project is to strengthen the financial capacity of VSLAs by expanding their access to financial services and, most importantly, enabling them to build a sustainable internal fund that continues to serve members even after the initial loan is withdrawn. The VSF Officer will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all project activities, ensuring that groups use the funds effectively, meet repayment obligations, and are equipped with the skills to sustain their financial growth long-term

Specific Role/Responsibilities

Community Capacity Building

• Facilitate training sessions on financial literacy, business planning, and effective group governance to strengthen group capacity
• Guide VSLAs in identifying viable income-generating activities and designing sustainable business initiatives.
• Monitor and mentor VSLA leadership to ensure strong record-keeping, transparent decisionmaking, and conflict resolution.

Loan Management

• Track loan utilization and repayment progress, identifying potential risks or defaults early and providing targeted support.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date loan records, ensuring all transactions are documented and reported timely.
• Provide regular progress reports on loan performance, repayment rates, and project impact to management.

Financial Management

• Prepare and monitor project budgets, ensuring spending aligns with approved allocations and donor guidelines.
• Coordinate timely and compliant fund withdrawals, loan disbursements, and repayments.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date financial records, loan agreements, and repayment schedules for reference and audit.
• Track loan repayments, prepare collection reports, and address overdue groups promptly.
• Ensure there is a reconciliation between the bank and the Beonic system to match transaction records.
• Ensure compliance with all financial policies, procedures, and donor requirements.
• Implement financial controls and conduct spot checks to safeguard project funds.
• Train VSLA leaders and staff on financial management, record keeping, and accountability practices.
• Promote sustainable financial practices to help VSLAs maintain lending activities beyond project support.

Reporting

• Prepare and submit accurate weekly, monthly, and quarterly project and financial reports.
• Maintain and update VSLA records, loan trackers, and repayment databases.
• Communicate with VSLAs to request or provide required information for reporting purposes.
• Support group champions and field staff in executing timely and accurate digital reporting.
• Reconcile and verify all reported financial and loan data to identify and correct discrepancies.
• Compile and present portfolio performance summaries, including disbursements, collections, and overdue groups.
• Provide management with regular updates on project progress, risks, and recommended actions.
• Ensure all reports comply with organizational, donor, and project documentation standards.
• Archive reports and supporting documents systematically for future reference and audits.

Education, Qualification, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business studies, Economics, Microfinance, or a related field.
• Professional training or certification in microfinance, credit management, or community development is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in loan management, microfinance operations, or community-based financial services.
• Demonstrated experience working with Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) or similar community financing models.
• Strong understanding of financial management principles, budgeting, and compliance requirements.
• Experience in training and capacity building for community groups on financial literacy and enterprise development.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and digital reporting tools.
• Strong interpersonal, communication skills with the ability to work effectively in rural community settings.
• Ability to speak and write fluently in English; proficiency in local languages spoken in the project area is an added advantage.

• Facilitate training sessions on financial literacy, business planning, and effective group governance to strengthen group capacity
• Guide VSLAs in identifying viable income-generating activities and designing sustainable business initiatives.
• Monitor and mentor VSLA leadership to ensure strong record-keeping, transparent decisionmaking, and conflict resolution.
• Track loan utilization and repayment progress, identifying potential risks or defaults early and providing targeted support.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date loan records, ensuring all transactions are documented and reported timely.
• Provide regular progress reports on loan performance, repayment rates, and project impact to management.
• Prepare and monitor project budgets, ensuring spending aligns with approved allocations and donor guidelines.
• Coordinate timely and compliant fund withdrawals, loan disbursements, and repayments.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date financial records, loan agreements, and repayment schedules for reference and audit.
• Track loan repayments, prepare collection reports, and address overdue groups promptly.
• Ensure there is a reconciliation between the bank and the Beonic system to match transaction records.
• Ensure compliance with all financial policies, procedures, and donor requirements.
• Implement financial controls and conduct spot checks to safeguard project funds.
• Train VSLA leaders and staff on financial management, record keeping, and accountability practices.
• Promote sustainable financial practices to help VSLAs maintain lending activities beyond project support.
• Prepare and submit accurate weekly, monthly, and quarterly project and financial reports.
• Maintain and update VSLA records, loan trackers, and repayment databases.
• Communicate with VSLAs to request or provide required information for reporting purposes.
• Support group champions and field staff in executing timely and accurate digital reporting.
• Reconcile and verify all reported financial and loan data to identify and correct discrepancies.
• Compile and present portfolio performance summaries, including disbursements, collections, and overdue groups.
• Provide management with regular updates on project progress, risks, and recommended actions.
• Ensure all reports comply with organizational, donor, and project documentation standards.
• Archive reports and supporting documents systematically for future reference and audits.

• Financial literacy
• Business planning
• Group governance
• Record-keeping
• Transparent decision-making
• Conflict resolution
• Loan tracking and management
• Financial reporting
• Budgeting
• Donor compliance
• Financial controls
• Training and capacity building
• MS Office proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Digital reporting tools
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in rural community settings
• Fluency in English

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business studies, Economics, Microfinance, or a related field.
• Professional training or certification in microfinance, credit management, or community development is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience working with Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) or similar community financing models.
• Strong understanding of financial management principles, budgeting, and compliance requirements.
• Experience in training and capacity building for community groups on financial literacy and enterprise development.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and digital reporting tools.
• Strong interpersonal, communication skills with the ability to work effectively in rural community settings.
• Ability to speak and write fluently in English; proficiency in local languages spoken in the project area is an added advantage.